Live

Add a Live Event

This article details how to add a live event on the BlendVision One Console.

Before we start

Before creating your live event, you may need to prepare the necessary information, source files, and set up configurations for the event. 

Please refer to the related articles below for more information:

  • Prepare or set up your input source
  • (Optional) please refer to Integrate BlendVision One APIs to enable security features (such as visibility and watermarks) on the Player SDK/embed iframe Player.
  • (Optional) Please refer to Customize Player Template for customizing the player style of the showroom/embed iframe Player.

We also recommend that you reuse closed live events to save on time and streamline the process of creating new events with similar settings.

 

Start adding your live event

1. There are two ways to start create a livestream:

  • Click the “ADD” button then select “Live” from the drop down menu to start creating a new event.
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  • You can also select “Live” from the left sidebar to access the Livestream List, then click the  "Add Livestream" button in the Livestream List to create a new event.
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2. Enter a “Livestream Name” for your live event.

  • Note: Only symbols and characters can be entered. Maximum 50 characters. 
    image2.png

Next, you will need to configure the settings for your live event, detailed in the article sections below:

  • General
  • Security
  • Image (Optional)
  • Interaction (Optional)
  • Showroom (Optional)
  • Player (Optional)

General

In the “General” tab, please follow the steps below to configure the general settings:

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Livestream Settings

3. (Optional) Set up your “Custom ID”: 

  • The Custom ID is an optional item and is used for data mapping.
    image5.pngPlease make sure that you have provided your own ID via Add Custom ID if you want to map an existing serial number or other data to the live event being set up.
  • Note: The max length of the Custom ID is 150 characters. It has to be unique and can only consist of English letters and numbers (0~9).

4. Select the event type and the Broadcast Mode you need:

  • If you would like to host an event from an audio/video signal (RTMP/WebRTC), please select “Live Event”.
    image6.png

    For live events, BlendVision One provides two different broadcast modes: 
    • Traditional Livestream mode:
      The audience can only view real-time video as the content is being streamed and cannot drag the progress bar to rewind or fast-forward.
    • DVR (Start-Over) mode:
      The audience can control video progress while the content is being streamed and can drag the progress bar to rewind or fast-forward until it ends.
      Note: the maximum DVR duration is limited to 16 hours. If the live video exceeds 16 hours, only the last 16 hours can be rewinded.
  • If you prefer to host an event from a pre-recorded media file:
    please choose “Simulive Event”
    image11.png

    When choosing the simulive event type, you will need to select a video file from your video library as the source of your simulive event.
    Please refer to Supported Input Formats for Live Event and Video Library Management for more details.

    For simulive events, BlendVision One provides three different broadcast modes: 
    • Traditional Livestream Mode:
      The audience can only view real-time video as the content is being streamed and cannot drag the progress bar to rewind or fast-forward.
    • DVR (Start-Over) Mode:
      The audience can control video progress while the content is being streamed and can drag the progress bar to rewind or fast-forward until it ends.
      Note: the maximum DVR duration is limited to 16 hours. If the live video exceeds 16 hours, only the last 16 hours can be rewinded.
    • Playback mode:
      This mode provides event-based VOD and chatroom functions, which add more interactive features and commercial operation possibilities to a traditional VOD viewing experience.
      Note: This mode is only available for simulive events. If you want to record your live signal as a playable VOD, please check the VOD section in this article or Utilize a Live Event as a VOD

 

5. Set the “Start Time” (system date and time) of your event.

  • BlendVision One provides two choices for the start time: 
    • Now: the resources for the live event will be prepared as soon as possible (less than 3 minutes).
    • Schedule: the resources will be prepared in 12 hours before the scheduled date and time.
      image17.png
      The scheduled start time has to be at least 10 minutes later than the time the event is created.
      The timezone is decided by your location recognized by the browser.
  • This start time will determine when the system will start preparing resources for the live event. The live event will start after you click "Go Live". If you would like to know how to start a live event, please see the details in Start and End a Live Event.
  • (Optional) BlendVision One staff also provides standby support for real-time live event assistance. You may submit an inquiry to our staff for more information.
    If you would like to request real-time standby support, the start time of your live event is required to be scheduled at least 7 days later from the day of inquiry. 

6. Select the resolution (visual quality) you plan to provide for the live event:

  • The available resolution options are: 4K, Full HD, and HD (default).
    image10.png
Resolution Support Player Setting Available Adaptive Resolution

 

4K

 Auto
  • 2160p
  • 1080p
  • 720p
  • 480p
  • 360p
  • 240p
2160p
  • 2160p
1080p
  • 1080p
720p
  • 720p
480p
  • 480p
360p
  • 360p
240p
  • 240p
FHD Auto
  • 1080p
  • 720p
  • 480p
  • 360p
  • 240p
1080p
  • 1080p
720p
  • 720p
480p
  • 480p
360p
  • 360p
240p
  • 240p
HD Auto
  • 720p
  • 480p
  • 360p
  • 240p
720p
  • 720p
480p
  • 480p
360p
  • 360p
240p
  • 240p

 

7. (Optional) Recording your live event into a “Live Source File”: 

  • You may enable the “Save livestream for download” option to record and save your live content:
    image9.png
    BlendVision will save your live content as an MP4 file. After the event is over and the encoding process is complete, you will be able to access the file in your video library for download.
    The saved file will also be available for use in hosting another simulive event or creating a new VOD.
    Please refer to Video Library Management for more information on video library file management.
  • Note: This option is only available for the traditional livestream mode and DVR (Start-Over) mode. Simulive with Playback mode is not supported.

 

Advanced

8. (Optional) Ultra Low Latency (ULL) Live :

  • Streaming latency is the delay between the generated video signal and the video being displayed to the audience.
    In BlendVision, we provide ULL Live which reduces video streaming latency, providing a better interactive experience for the audience.
    unnamed (13).png
    You can enable     Ultra-Low Latency in the “Advanced” Section on the right side of the “General” tab.
  • Note: ULL Live has the following limitations. For more information on ULL Live, please refer to Ultra Low Latency Live (ULL Live) Introduction.

9. Remux Only:

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  • Remux only means that the files are only packaged instead of transformed. It always enables Ultra Low Latency and supports Live only (Simulive and Direct VOD are not supported)

    You can enable Remux only in the “Advanced” Section on the right side of the “General” tab.

    If "Remux only" is enabled, related settings will be forcefully overwritten and modified. Live with “Remux only” does not support Chrome and other browsers with DASH streaming format.

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Metadata

10. In the “Metadata” section, you can add descriptions to your event to display on the player or for further integration.

image20.png

  • Short Description: Allows 100 characters.
  • Long Description: Allows 2000 characters.
    Note: Descriptions will display as information on your showroom player or embed iframe player, please refer to Customize Player Template for more details.

 

11. VOD

BlendVision One provides the option to turn your live events into VODs easily.

Your audience may want to watch a replay video after the live session has ended. This can be easily achieved by setting up the configuration in the “VOD” section while creating your event.

The following configurations can be set up:

  • Enable / Disable Live-to-VOD: “Disable” is set by default.
  • The Start Time and End Time: Your archived VOD will be published automatically and accessible to your audience during the scheduled period.
  • Source of Live-to-VOD: BlendVision One provides two methods for Live-to-VOD.
    • Utilize the live event as a VOD (Livestream catchup)
    • Replace with an edited VOD

 

For details on setting up and the limitations of Live-to-VOD, please refer to Utilize a Live Event as a VOD.

 

Note: The Live-to-VOD function is not supported for the following scenarios:

  • Events that enabled ULL Live
  • Simulive Events on Playback mode

 

Security

In the “Security” tab, BlendVision One provides multiple features to protect your live content:

  • DRM (Digital Rights Management) : Protect your content from screen-recording, screenshotting, and mirroring.
  • Visibility: Manage the visibility of content (public/private) to avoid unauthorized access.
  • Geo-Region control: Specifying authorized regions to limit access from certain areas/countries.
  • Watermark: Display a watermark overlaid on your live event in order to claim copyright or identify violators of pirated content.
  • Domain Control: whitelist domains that are allowed to publish your live content and limit unauthorized delivery on other platforms.

For details on security features, please see Set up Security Features for more information.

Note: 

  • Some features may require source files and integration with BlendVision APIs. Please refer to the article Integrate Existing Membership Systems for Private Content for more details on features for token access.
  • Most security features (such as visibility, domain control, etc) will be unavailable when using the Player SDK. You need to develop the relevant functions within your system and integrate it with the Player SDK.

 

Image (Optional)

BlendVision One allows you to set up cover images which the audience will see during different live statuses.


In the “Image” tab, you can see the live status timeline and set different cover images for each status.


For details on the live status timeline and the limitations on uploaded images, please see Set up Cover Images for more information.

Note: 

  • The live status timeline and the statuses which allow for setting cover images will depend on your live type and settings (such as Live-to-VOD).
  • Image setting is optional. If a cover image is not specified, the player will display a black screen as the default cover for your live event.

 

Interaction (Optional)

In BlendVision One,  we also provide interaction features to engage your audience.

In the “Interaction” tab, you can set up configurations to enable the following functions:

  • Chatroom: display a chatroom for direct interaction with your audience during live sessions and published VOD periods.
  • Poll: gathering feedback from your audience through a poll.

 

For further information on interaction features, please refer to Set up Interaction Features.

 

Note: 

 

Showroom (Optional)

In BlendVision One, we provide an easy method to deliver your content as a customized webpage. A highly customizable theme is provided and viewer access is controllable. You can quickly set up your customized showroom and player before sharing the URL with your audience.

In the “Showroom” tab, you can set up your showroom design configuration as detailed below:

  • Login Page: Customize the login page that displays before audiences access the main page
  • Main Page: Customize the main page where the audiences will watch the live event, use the chatroom, and view details.

 

For further information on how to set up your showroom, please refer to Set up Showroom Features.

 

Note: 

  • Some features may require prior preparation and integration with BlendVision APIs. Please refer to the related articles: Integrate Existing Membership Systems for Private Content for details on features regarding token access.
  • BlendVision One also supports two other publishing methods: iframe Player and the Player SDK (on Android/iOS/Web).
    If you would like to know more about supported publishing methods, please refer to Share and Publish a Live Event for more details.

 

Player (Optional)

In BlendVision One, we provide a customizable player to deliver your content.
You can quickly customize your player template via the BlendVision One web console before reflecting it to your showroom and embed iframe player. 

In the “Player” tab, you can use the following configurations to customize your player:

  • Select the standard or customized player template for your event.
  • Preview the Player UI for your event

 

For more information on selecting a player template for your showroom and embed iframe player, please see Set up Player Features.

 

Note: 

  • For more details on creating and customizing your player template, please refer to Customize Player Template
  • For live events published through the Player SDK (Android/iOS/Web) method, please refer to our Developer Guide for Player UI customization.

 

Save and submit your live event

After following the above steps and deciding on your live event settings, you can click the “Create Livestream” button on the upper-right side to save and submit your live event.

Note:

  • Please note that most fields will be uneditable once the event is created. We strongly recommend double checking all settings before submission.
  • For details on how to edit a live event and the editable fields, please refer to Edit a Live Event.

After the event is submitted, you will see the event show up in the livestream list.

image16.png

 

What's more

Here are further suggested articles to help you host and deliver your event: 

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